Richard Chonak: June 2008 Archives

Not allaying suspicion

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Here's a case study in How To Miss An Opportunity.

On June 6, Archbishop Edwin O'Brien of Baltimore wrote a letter to the Superior General of the Legion of Christ, imposing restrictions on the ministry of that religious institute and of the lay institute Regnum Christi within his diocese.

This is an unusual step for any bishop to take, and Abp. O'Brien was characteristically forthright about the reasons that brought him to the decision -- reasons which almost brought him to banning the two organizations outright. He and the pastors of his diocese repeatedly found themselves surprised by the two groups' activities among the faithful of Baltimore and particularly among young people. Pastors, who are responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of the faithful, do not like such surprises.

In the left-wing NC Reporter, John Allen reported on the event June 12 and interviewed the Archbishop. The reliably orthodox Catholic World News reported on the event on June 11 and cited the Archbishop's letter to the Legion; and then followed up.

The Rome-based press outlet ZENIT, however, which is "promoted by" the Legion, and includes Legion priests among its writers, and is directed by members of Regnum Christi, doesn't appear to have reported on the story at all in its daily news digests.

Now that is the missed opportunity I'm writing about. When a vigorous, orthodox religious community and a vigorous, orthodox lay institute come under the suspicion of a stalwart bishop who holds the primatial see of the United States (in case anyone didn't notice the point), and are placed under restrictions by that same bishop, that's a news event. To say nothing about it in ZENIT's daily news only reinforces the suspicion that the Legion and Regnum have garnered, suspicion which inescapably adheres to ZENIT.

And it's one reason why I am deleting and ignoring the almost daily fundraising e-mails from ZENIT.

2008-06-12-blender.jpgCall me Savonarola, but the outdoor blender powered by a two-stroke gasoline engine might be something you don't really need.

At the lighting of the lamps

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Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Mount Saint Macrina Retreat Center, Uniontown, PA:

OLPH_uniontown1.jpg

Sunset

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Chapel at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, Summit, NJ, 4:45 pm

summit-2008-06-05.jpg

Heard in the homily

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During Wednesday's Mass, the homilist said, "Are you willing to put on God's gym shorts?"

I found that an arresting expression.

"Are you willing to train?" he went on.

Senhora do mar

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The Eurovision international song contest for 2008 was held a few weeks ago, and while many of the songs in the competition were forgettable pop numbers or lame jokes, a few stood out in an interesting way. The beautiful, impassioned entry from Portugal, while not exactly a religious song, could only have been created in a Catholic culture.

The lyrics and an English translation are available on-line.

I'm impressed!

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Sometimes you know God is at work. It took just one sermon by a Catholic priest, and Obama's quit his Protestant church!

;-)

fr-dismas-sayre-prostration.jpgCongratulations to Fr. Dismas Sayre, O.P., and his confreres who were ordained Saturday (photos) by Oakland's Bishop Allen Vigueron at a beautiful church in San Francisco. Ad multos annos!
fr-dismas-sayre-ord.jpg

HT: Thanks to Eleen Kamas and family for the photos!


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On life and living in communion with the Catholic Church.

Richard Chonak

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